Passenger seat with variable length seat bottom

ABSTRACT

A reclinable passenger seat having a seat frame mounting a seat bottom, a seat back extending upwardly from the seat bottom, and a seat bottom/seat back articulation assembly for simultaneously varying the adjustment of the seat bottom and seat back relative to each other. A translation linkage is provided for mounting the seat bottom and seat back for translating movement of the seat bottom relative to the seat back as the seat back is reclined from an upright position and raised to an upright position. The translation linkage extends the effective length of the seat bottom relative to the seat back to provide additional support to the buttocks and legs of the seated passenger.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 60/176,366, filed Jan. 14, 2000.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a passenger seat, such as is used on publictransportation such aircraft, trains and buses. The invention hasparticular application aircraft, where passenger seats must be quicklyand safely moveable between an upright landing and take-off position, anintermediate recline position and a fully reclined sleep position. Seatsmust also accommodate a wide variety of passenger sizes and weights.Proper leg support is particularly important on long flights, whereimproper seat support can cause discomfort and swelling in the lowerextremities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a passenger seat which iscomfortable.

It is another object of the invention to provide a passenger seat whichprovides a combination of articulating movements which isspace-efficient.

It is another object of the invention to provide a passenger seat whichis lightweight.

It is another object of the invention to provide a passenger seat whichhas an extensible legrest.

It is another object of the invention to provide a passenger seat whichhas a combination of pivoting and translational movement which optimizesadjustment of the seat with an economical use of space.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in thepreferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a reclinablepassenger seat having a seat frame mounting a seat bottom, a seat backextending upwardly from the seat bottom, and a seat bottom/seat backarticulation assembly for simultaneously varying the adjustment of theseat bottom and seat back relative to each other. A translation linkageis provided for mounting the seat bottom and seat back for translatingmovement of the seat bottom relative to the seat back as the seat backis reclined from an upright position and raised to an upright position.The translation linkage extends the effective length of the seat bottomrelative to the seat back to provide additional support to the buttocksand legs of the seated passenger.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the translationlinkage is adapted to initially raise a front end of the seat bottominto a recline position and subsequently lower the front end of the seatbottom into a sleep position wherein the seat bottom is in substantiallythe same plane as the seat back.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, thetranslation linkage includes a slot carried on the seat frame andcooperating with a pin carried by the seat bottom, the slot being curvedto cause movement of the pin in the slot as the seat back is reclined toinitially raise a front end of the seat bottom into a recline positionrelative to the seat back and subsequently lower the front end of theseat bottom into a sleep position wherein the seat bottom is insubstantially the same plane as the seat back in a fully reclinedposition.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, abolster is positioned in a position foreward of the seat bottom forproviding additional support to the legs of the passenger.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, meansare provided for moving the bolster into and out of a position forwardof the seat bottom and to the rear of a extendable leg rest assembly.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the seatincludes an extendable legrest.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, thelegrest is movable relative to the seat bottom for providing a longereffective leg-supporting length to the passenger.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, theinvention includes a bolster mounted for movement between a stowedposition and a use position between the front end of the seat bottom andan uppermost end of the legrest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Otherobjects and advantages of the invention will appear as the inventionproceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a passenger seat accordingto o embodiment of the invention in a takeoff and landing position;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the passenger seat of FIG.1 in a recline position;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a passenger seat of FIG. 1in a sleeper position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the seat pan of the seat shown in FIG. 1in a recline position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of the seat pan of the seat shown in FIG. 1in a landing and takeoff position;

FIG. 6 is a view of the legrest and footrest portion of the passengerseat shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a view of the legrest and footrest in the landing and takeoffposition;

FIG. 8 is a view of the legrest and footrest in the recline position;

FIG. 9 is a view of the legrest and footrest in the sleeper position;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view of the seat pan articulation slot in thelanding and takeoff position;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view of the seat pan articulation slot in therecline position;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view of the seat shown in FIG. 1, showing theextension of the legrest;

FIGS. 13A-13E are fragmentary views showing the assembly of the fabriclegrest; and

FIGS. 14A-14C are simplified vertical cross-sections of the seat shownin FIG. 1 in the landing/takeoff, recline and sleeper positions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE

Referring now specifically to the drawings, a passenger seat accordingto the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 and shown generally atreference numeral 10.

The passenger seat 10 includes a seat frame 11 which is attached to atrack 13 mounted on the deck of an airplane. Attachment is made by useof track fittings, such as those disclosed in applicant's U.S. Pat. Nos.5,169,091, 5,178,346 or 5,861,318. The seat frame 11 includeshorizontally spaced spreaders 12 which include seat pan articulationslots 18. The seat back 15 is attached to the seat frame 11 at backpivot location 16 and to the seat pan 19 at seat pan pivot 17. The seatpan 19 is attached to the seat frame spreaders 12 at the seat panarticulation slot 18. The legrest 21 is attached to seat pan 19 atlegrest pivot 20. A footrest 22 extends out of legrest 21. The seatendbay and consoles 14 bound the occupant on each side.

As shown in FIG. 2, the seat 10 is capable of articulating into severalpositions. The seat back articulation occurs by rotation about seat backpivot 17. Seat back articulation drives the seat pan 19 by seat panpivot 17 and seat pan articulation slot 18. As the seat pan articulates,the position and angle of the seat pan is controlled by the location ofthe seat pan pivot 17 and the seat pan 19 within the seat panarticulation slot 18. The seat pan 19 also includes seat pan extension24 which raises and lowers an extra support cushion 28 via slotsincluded in the frame of seat pan 19. Legrest articulation 26 ispossible by pivoting about legrest pivot 20. Legrest extension 25 isalso possible by extending footrest 22 via a slide mechanism. Thelegrest 21 and footrest 22 support surfaces consist of a fabricdiaphragm suspended between frame supports on each side. The footrest 22slides into and out of the end of legrest 21.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the seat pan 19 includes a seat pandiaphragm 31 attached between two seat pan rails 32 and an additionalextra support cushion 28 which can be articulated fore/aft by movementof the seat pan extension rail 33. Upon fore/aft movement of the seatpan extension rail, extra support cushion 28 articulates upward in extrasupport cushion articulation slot 30. Overall positioning of the seatpan 19 is driven by the location of seat pan pivots 17 which areconnected to seat back 15, and by the location of cam followers 29,which move inside seat pan articulation slot 18.

Referring to FIG. 6, legrest assembly 21 consists of a legrest diaphragm34 suspended between legrest support rails 38 and an additional legrestextension diaphragm 35 suspended between footrest rails 39. Footrest 36is attached at the end of legrest extension rails 39. Legrest 21(FIG. 1) is connected to seat pan extension rail 33 (FIG. 4) and rotatesabout legrest pivot location 39. Legrest extension rails 39 slide in andout between legrest support rails 38, which provide additional legclearance for taller Footrest 36 is attached to legrest extension rails39 at the footrest pivots 37 and rotates as shown in FIG. 5 to providesupport for the passengers feet.

As is shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the support cushion 28 extendsoutwardly from the front end of the seat pan 19 as the seat 10 isprogressively reclined.

As is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a pin 18A captured in seat panarticulation slot 18 controls movement of the seat pan 19 as the seat 10is articulated.

Referring now to FIG. 12, the legrest diaphragm 34 and the legrestextension diaphragm 35 telescope to lengthen or shorten the overalllength of the legrest 21 as desired by the passenger. The legrestextension diaphragm 35 is nested within the legrest diaphragm 34.

Referring now to FIGS. 13A-E, the legrest diaphragm 34 is assembled byforming a fabric tube 50(FIG. 13A) and positioning two inner rails 51,52 therein whereby the tube is maintained in an open condition and givesa specified depth to the tube 50 (FIG. 13B). A second pair of outerrails 53, 54 (FIG. 13C) is then positioned on the outside of the tube 50adjacent the inner rails 51, 52 (FIG. 13D) and pressed upwardly and intoalignment with the inner rails 51, 52, as shown in FIG. 13E. Thismovement stretches the fabric and provides a taut, resilientdouble-layer support for the upper legs of the passenger. Suitablefasteners 56 secure the fabric tube in position between the pairs ofrails 51, 52, 53, 54, respectively.

The fabric may be a material made by DuPont and sold under the trademarkDymetrol 200, a dense, nylon-based fabric, a unidirectional fabric soldunder the trademark Crystal Flex, or any other suitable fabric.Characteristics important in fabric selection include strength,resiliency, wear resistance and resistance to soiling.

FIGS. 14A-14C illustrate in simplified form the articulation of the seat10, including the rearward movement of the seat back 15, the forwardmovement of the seat pan 19 and the extension of the legrest 21. Asshown, the seat back 15 is moved by pivotal movement about the backpivot 16. The back of the seat pan 19 is pivoted about the pivot 17. Theforward end of the seat pan is translated between the positions shown inFIGS. 14A-14C by movement of pivot pin 1 8A in slot 18. The curve in theslot 18 provides a slight upward movement to the forward end of the seatpan 19 in the recline position (See FIGS. 2 and 14B) which prevents thepassenger from slipping down the seat. In the sleeper position, the seatpan 19 is lowered slightly to more closely align the body of thepassenger in a true prone sleeping position. (See FIGS. 3 and 14C).

The seat may be powered by any suitable drive device, such as pneumaticcylinders, a motor-driven worm drive or other types electric motors.

I claim:
 1. A reclinable passenger seat having a seat frame mounting aseat bottom, a seat back extending upwardly from the seat bottom, and aseat bottom/seat back articulation assembly for simultaneously varyingthe adjustment of the seat bottom and seat back relative to each other,and comprising: (a) a translation linkage mounting said seat bottom andseat back for translating movement of the seat bottom relative to theseat back as the seat back is reclined from an upright position andraised to an upright position, said translation linkage extending aneffective length of the seat bottom relative to the seat back to provideadditional support to buttocks and legs of a seated passenger; (b) abolster positioned in a position forward of the seat bottom forproviding additional support to the legs of the passenger; and (c) meansfor moving the bolster into and out of a position forward of the seatbottom and to the rear of an extendable leg rest assembly.
 2. Areclinable passenger seat having a seat frame mounting a seat bottom, aseat back extending upwardly from the seat bottom, and a seatbottom/seat back articulation assembly for simultaneously varying theadjustment of the seat bottom and seat back relative to each other, andcomprising a translation linkage mounting said seat bottom and seat backfor translating movement of the seat bottom relative to the seat back asthe seat back is reclined from an upright position and raised to anupright position, said translation linkage extending an effective lengthof the seat bottom relative to the seat back to provide additionalsupport to buttocks and legs of a seated passenger and adapted toinitially raise a front end of the seat bottom into a recline positionand subsequently lower the front end of the seat bottom into a sleepposition wherein said seat bottom is in substantially the same plane asthe seat back.
 3. A reclinable passenger seat having a seat framemounting a seat bottom, a seat back extending upwardly from the seatbottom, and a seat bottom/seat back articulation assembly forsimultaneously varying the adjustment of the seat bottom and seat backrelative to each other, and comprising a translation linkage mountingsaid seat bottom and seat back for translating movement of the seatbottom relative to the seat back as the seat back is reclined from anupright position and raised to an upright position, said translationlinkage extending an effective length of the seat bottom relative to theseat back to provide additional support to buttocks and legs of a seatedpassenger and including a slot carried on the seat frame and cooperatingwith a pin carried by the seat bottom, said slot being curved to causemovement of the pin in the slot as the seat back is reclined toinitially raise a front end of the seat bottom into a recline positionrelative to the seat back and subsequently lower the front end of theseat bottom into a sleep position wherein said seat bottom is insubstantially the same plane as the seat back in a fully reclinedposition.
 4. A reclinable passenger seat according to claim 2 or 3, andincluding an extendable legrest.
 5. A reclinable passenger seataccording to claims 4, wherein said legrest is movable relative to theseat bottom for providing a longer effective leg-supporting length tothe passenger.
 6. A reclinable passenger seat according to claim 5, andincluding a bolster mounted for movement between a stowed position and ause position between the front end of the seat bottom and an uppermostend of the legrest.